Printable lithium compositions

Abstract

A printable lithium composition is provided. The printable lithium composition includes lithium metal powder; a polymer binder, wherein the polymer binder is compatible with the lithium powder; and a rheology modifier, wherein the rheology modifier is compatible with the lithium powder and the polymer binder. The printable lithium composition may further include a solvent compatible with the lithium powder and with the polymer binder.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. A composition comprising on a solution basis of:
 a) about 10 to about 50 percent of a lithium metal powder; 
 b) about 0.1 to about 20 percent of a polymer binder, wherein the polymer binder is compatible with the lithium metal powder and is selected from the group consisting of unsaturated elastomers, saturated elastomers, polyacrylic acid, polyvinylidene chloride and polyvinyl acetate; 
 c) about 0.1 to about 30 percent of a rheology modifier, wherein the rheology modifier is compatible with the lithium metal powder and the polymer binder; and 
 d) about 50 to about 95 percent of a non-polar solvent, wherein the solvent is compatible with the lithium metal powder and with the polymer binder and wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of acyclic hydrocarbons, cyclic hydrocarbons, and aromatic hydrocarbons, wherein the composition is printable. 
 
     
     
       2. The printable lithium composition of  claim 1 , wherein the lithium metal powder is a stabilized lithium metal powder. 
     
     
       3. The printable lithium composition of  claim 1  wherein the lithium metal powder is alloyed with a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, germanium, silicon, indium, and magnesium. 
     
     
       4. The printable lithium composition of  claim 1 , comprising a viscosity of the printable lithium composition at 10 s −1  shear of about 20 to about 20,000 cps. 
     
     
       5. The printable lithium composition of  claim 1 , wherein the printable lithium composition is chemically stable for up to six months at room temperature and is stable against metallic lithium loss at temperatures up to about 60° C. 
     
     
       6. The printable lithium composition of  claim 1 , wherein the rheology modifier is a conductive material. 
     
     
       7. The printable lithium composition of  claim 6 , wherein the conductive material is selected from the group consisting of carbon black, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. 
     
     
       8. The printable lithium composition of  claim 1 , wherein the rheology modifier provides improved stability. 
     
     
       9. The printable lithium composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer binder has a molecular weight of 1,000 to 8,000,000. 
     
     
       10. The solid-state battery of  claim 9 , wherein the saturated elastomer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber and ethylene-vinyl acetate. 
     
     
       11. An anode comprising the printable lithium composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       12. A printable lithium composition comprising:
 on a solution basis of:
 a) about 10 to about 50 percent of a lithium metal powder; 
 b) about 0.1 to about 20 percent of a polymer binder, wherein the polymer binder is compatible with the lithium metal powder and is selected from the group consisting of unsaturated elastomers, saturated elastomers, polyacrylic acid, polyvinylidene chloride and polyvinyl acetate; 
 c) about 0.1 to about 30 percent of a rheology modifier, wherein the rheology modifier is compatible with the lithium metal powder and the polymer binder; and 
 d) about 50 to about 95 percent of a solvent selected from the group consisting of acyclic hydrocarbons, cyclic hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons; 
 wherein the composition is printable and is stable against metallic lithium loss at temperatures up to about 60° C. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The printable lithium composition of  claim 12 , wherein the lithium metal powder is a stabilized lithium metal powder. 
     
     
       14. The printable lithium composition of  claim 12 , wherein the rheology modifier is a conductive material. 
     
     
       15. The printable lithium composition of  claim 14 , wherein the conductive material is selected from the group consisting of carbon black, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. 
     
     
       16. The printable lithium composition of  claim 12 , wherein the polymer binder has a molecular weight of 1,000 to 8,000,000. 
     
     
       17. The printable lithium composition of  claim 12 , wherein the printable lithium composition has a viscosity of 10 s −1  shear of about 20 to about 20,000 cps. 
     
     
       18. The printable lithium composition of  claim 17 , wherein the printable lithium composition is chemically stable for up to six months at room temperature.